Too much Easter candy? Here's how to use it up

Candy overload: it's an all-too common problem at sweet-centric holidays. You stocked up on Peeps weeks in advance, then grabbed another box or two while doing your Easter grocery shopping — for good measure.

Your teenager just informed you that she's a vegan — didn't you know that most of the candy in the basket you thought you were being so thoughtful about (still) making up for her contains dairy products? And Uncle Bob shouldn't be eating all those jelly beans, with his diabetes.

But before you dump all that perfectly good Easter candy in the garbage, consider the green living mantra: "Repurpose, Restyle, Reuse." With a little food blogger-inspired creativity, you can turn it into cakes, cookies, cocktails and yes, more candy. All of which — except perhaps for the jelly bean martini — you can parcel out to friends, or at the office. Let others marvel at how clever you are. Then go home and shake up one of those martinis. Happy Easter.

— Susan Leigh Sherrill

* PEEPS SUNFLOWER CAKE

1 package (18 1/4 ounces) yellow cake mix

2 cans (16 ounces each) chocolate frosting

19 yellow chick Peeps candies

1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Prepare and bake cake according to package directions, using two greased and waxed paper-lined 9-inch-round baking pans.

When layers are completely cool, spread frosting between them and over the top and sides of cake.

Without separating Peeps and curving them slightly to fit, arrange chicks around edge of cake as sunflower petals. For sunflower seeds, arrange chocolate chips in center of cake.

Serves: 12

Source: "Bakeshop Favorites" (Taste of Home, $17.95)

* JELLY BEAN MARTINI

Heaping 1/4 cup single flavor of jelly beans

1 cup vodka

Þ cup granulated sugar

1 drop food coloring

Chambord

Peeps (for garnish)

In a glass jar, add the jelly beans and vodka. Cover and shake the jar vigorously and set aside. Keep shaking the jelly bean/vodka jar every few hours. Let sit overnight.

Using a funnel and dampened coffee filter, filter the infused vodka into a new jar. Place strained vodka into the refrigerator to chill.

Pour sugar into a zip-top bag and add 1 drop of food coloring. Seal the top of the bag and shake to make colored sugar.

To make the martini: Dip the rim of a cocktail glass in water, then in the colored sugar. Place 1 part of the jelly bean vodka and 1/2 part Chambord in an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously and strain into the rimmed glass. Garnish with a Peep.

Makes: Enough for 4 to 6 martinis.

Source: My Man's Belly blog (mymansbelly.com)

* CADBURY EGG COOKIES

2 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

2 teaspoon vanilla

2 eggs

1 cup milk chocolate chips

1 package mini Cadbury eggs

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In medium bowl, stir together flour, baking soda and salt.

In separate bowl, blend butter, sugars and vanilla with mixer until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time. Beat well. Gradually add flour mixture until just combined. Don't overbeat. Stir in chocolate chips.